Method of Retrofitting a Sleeve Apparatus to Repair High-pressure Flow Iron Corrosion

ABSTRACT

A method of retrofitting a sleeve apparatus to repair high-pressure flow iron corrosion is conducted between a flow iron male pipe-end and a flow iron female pipe-end. First, the union between the two pipe-ends are disassembled to identify a corrected internal surface of the female pipe-end. Then, the corroded internal surface is drilled and cleaned to delineate a sleeve cavity that is identical to an external surface of a sleeve body. The sleeve body is then connected to the female pipe-end via the sleeve cavity. The male pipe-end and the female pipe-end are then compressed together with a second O-ring seal in between. A nut that was removed during the disassembling process is threaded around the male pipe-end and the female pipe-end to complete the retrofitting method.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a high pressure flow iron pipes in the fracturing and pumping operations in the oil industry. More specifically, the present invention is a method of retrofitting a sleeve apparatus to repair high-pressure flow iron corrosion/erosion so that the longevity of the high pressure flow iron can be extended.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

High pressure flow iron (1000 psi to 15,000 psi) is used in fracturing and pumping operations in the oil industry. These pipe and bends are linked together at their ends by threaded unions or interlocking bearings and races to form straight joints and bent joints known as swivels. These flow iron pipes come in sizes ranging from 1″ to 10″ in diameter and lengths from 3″ to 20′. The swivels are typically made of 90 degree bent tubed with the ends having male and female interlocking bearing races. Connection usually use an elastomeric seal that is crushed by the tightening of a threaded union or the compression of a male and female with ball bearing races engaged. In the process of flowing material through these pipes, these pipes can experience corrosion and/or erosion near the interface connection on the male or female inside diameter of either the union or the swivel. Upon a required semi-annual inspection of these pipes, the erosion and/or corrosion that is adjacent to the seal area may results the pipes to be not fit for usage and scrapped. This typically occurs between 6 months to one year causing the owner to purchase a new set of pipes.

It is therefore an objective of the present invention to provide a method of retrofitting a sleeve apparatus to repair high-pressure flow iron corrosion/erosion. More specifically, the present invention extends the life of the pipes and swivels thereby adding value to the product. The sleeve apparatus can be made of various corrosion resistive alloy, stainless, plastic, elastomeric or non-elastomeric material as needed. The sleeves apparatus can be connected to the wear area seamlessly changing the unusable pipes to the original design while decreasing the maintenance cost for the owner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a basic illustration showing the step A of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a basic illustration showing the step C of the present invention

FIG. 3 is a basic illustration showing the step D of the present invention

FIG. 4 is a basic illustration showing the step E of the present invention

FIG. 5 is a basic illustration showing the step F of the present invention

FIG. 6 is a basic illustration showing the step G of the present invention

FIG. 7 is a basic illustration showing the step H of the present invention

FIG. 8 is a basic illustration showing the step I of the present invention

FIG. 9 is a basic illustration showing the step J of the present invention

FIG. 10 is a basic flowchart illustrating the overall process of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a basic flow chart illustrating the connection of the secondary sleeve body to the overall process of the present invention.

DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION

All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

The present invention is a method of retrofitting a sleeve apparatus to repair high pressure flow iron corrosion and/or erosion pipes that are utilized in the fracturing and pumping operations in the oil industry. Generally, the high pressure flow iron pipes can be rated from 1000 psi to 15,000 psi are linked together at their ends by threaded unions or interlocking bearings and races to form straight joints and bent joints known as swivels. In the process of flowing material through, these flow iron pipes can experience corrosion and/or erosion near the interface connection on a flow iron male pipe-end 1 or a flow iron female pipe-end 2 with respect to either the union or the swivel. As a result, industry regulations and standards require a semi-annual inspection of these flow iron pipes determine the longevity and reliability of the fracturing and pumping operations. If any erosion and/or corrosion is detected near the interface connection, the flow iron pipes to be not fit for usage and scrapped thus requiring the owner to purchase a new set of flow iron pipes. The union or the swivel is generally configured with a first O-ring seal 3 and a nut 4, wherein the flow iron male pipe-end 1 is compressed into the flow iron female pipe-end 2 with the first O-ring seal 3 in between so that the nut 4 can be threadedly engaged around the flow iron male pipe-end 1 and the flow iron female pipe-end 2 (Step A) as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 10.

In reference to FIG. 6-7 and FIG. 10, the present invention requires a sleeve body 7 and a second O-ring seal 8 to repair the corrosion and/or erosion of the flow iron pipes (Step B). More specifically, the sleeve body 7 is a rigid body and comprises a first edge surface, a second edge surface, an outer lateral surface, a first inner lateral surface, and a second inner lateral surface. The outer lateral surface is positioned in between the first edge surface and the second edge surface defines a sleeve height of the sleeve body 7. The first edge surface and the outer lateral surface are terminally connected to each other as the first edge surface is perpendicularly positioned to the outer lateral surface. The second edge surface and the outer lateral surface are terminally connected to each other as the second edge surface is perpendicularly positioned to the outer lateral surface. As a result, the first edge surface and the second edge surface are able to delineate the free ends of the sleeve body 7. The first inner lateral surface and the second inner lateral surface are adjacently connected to each other so that the inner surface of the sleeve body 7 can be delineated. More specifically, the first edge surface and the first inner lateral surface are terminally connected as the first inner lateral surface is angularly positioned to the first edge surface. The second edge surface and the second inner lateral surface are terminally connected to each other, wherein the second inner lateral surface is perpendicularly positioned to the second edge surface. In other words, the second inner lateral surface is positioned parallel to the outer lateral surface while the first inner lateral surface and a central axis of the sleeve body 7 are preferably oriented with each other at a 15 degree angle.

The sleeve height is delineated from the first edge surface to the second edge surface and preferably ranges from 0.87 inches to 0.88 inches. More specifically, the sleeve height stays consistency for a 2 inch pipe, a 3 inch pipe, and a 4 inch pipe.

A first inner diameter is delineated between a connection point of the first inner lateral surface and the first edge surface, wherein the first inner diameter being range from 2.07 inches to 4.08 inches. More specifically, the first inner diameter of the 2 inch pipe preferably ranges from 2.07 to 2.08 inches. The first inner diameter of the 3 inch pipe preferably ranges from 3.07 to 3.08 inches. The first inner diameter of the 4 inch pipe preferably ranges from 4.07 to 4.08 inches.

A first outer diameter is delineated between a connection point of the outer lateral surface and the first edge surface, wherein the first outer diameter being range from 2.25 inches to 4.26 inches. More specifically, the first outer diameter of the 2 inch pipe preferably ranges from 2.252 to 2.254 inches. The first outer diameter of the 3 inch pipe preferably ranges from 3.252 to 3.254 inches. The first outer diameter of the 4 inch pipe preferably ranges from 4.252 to 4.254 inches.

A second inner diameter is delineated between a connection point of the second inner lateral surface and the second edge surface, wherein the second inner diameter ranges from 1.87 inches to 3.77 inches. More specifically, the second inner diameter of the 2 inch pipe preferably ranges from 1.875 to 1.885 inches. The second inner diameter of the 3 inch pipe preferably ranges from 2.7 to 2.8 inches. The second inner diameter of the 4 inch pipe preferably ranges from 3.71 to 3.81 inches.

In order to implement the present invention, the union or the swivel is first disassembled so that the interface connection on the flow iron male pipe-end 1 and/or the flow iron female pipe-end 2 can be inspected. In reference to FIG. 2-4 and FIG. 10, the nut 4 is removed from the flow iron male pipe-end 1 and the flow iron female pipe-end 2 (Step C). Then, the flow iron male pipe-end 1 is disassembled from the flow iron female pipe-end 2 thus providing access to the interface connection (Step D). The first O-ring seal 3 that provides a hermetic connection between the flow iron male pipe-end 1 and the flow iron female pipe-end 2 is then removed from the flow iron female pipe-end 2 in order to identify a corroded internal surface 5 of the flow iron female pipe-end 2 (Step E). More specifically, water and sand that are present during the fracturing and pumping operations generally cause the flow iron female pipe-end 2 to corrode thus resulting the corroded internal surface 5. Due to the corroded internal surface 5 and the pressure of the pumping material, the first O-ring can shift and causes the union or the swivel to leak thus compromising the structural integrity of the pipe system.

Once the corroded internal surface 5 is identified within the flow iron female pipe-end 2, the corroded internal surface 5 is drilled and cleaned in order to delineate a sleeve cavity 6 (Step F) as shown in FIG. 5-6 and FIG. 10. A magnetic drill is preferably utilized to drill the sleeve cavity 6; however, the present invention can utilize any other types of industry standard drill to create the sleeve cavity 6. The sleeve cavity 6 is identical to an external surface of the sleeve body 7 so that the sleeve body 7 can be precisely connected to the flow iron female pipe-end 2. More specifically, the sleeve body 7 is connected into the flow iron female pipe-end 2 through the sleeve cavity 6 wherein the present invention can use any standard connecting methods (Step G). For example, the present invention can use shrink fitting, expansion fitting, press fitting, screw fasteners, gluing, grommet fasteners, retainer ring fasteners, welding, slip fit, or any other types of connection mechanisms or methods to secure the sleeve body 7 to the sleeve cavity 6. Once the sleeve body 7 is connected to the flow iron female pipe-end 2 through the sleeve cavity 6, the first edge surface is positioned flush with an outer edge of the flow iron female pipe-end 2 thus embodying an initial shape of the flow iron female pipe-end 2. Furthermore, the flush positioning of the first edge surface and the outer edge of the flow iron female pipe-end 2 ensure precise alignment of the flow iron male pipe-end 1.

In reference to FIG. 7-10, once the sleeve body 7 is connected to the flow iron female pipe-end 2, the second O-ring seal 8 is compressed into flow iron female pipe-end 2 and against the sleeve body 7 (Step H). The second O-ring seal 8 is an elastic body so that the positioning of the second O-ring seal 8 is able to create the hermetic connection between the flow iron male pipe-end 1 and the flow iron female pipe-end 2. In other words, the flow iron male pipe-end 1 is compressed into the flow iron female pipe-end 2 and against the second O-ring seal 8 so that the nut 4 can be re-threaded around the flow iron male pipe-end 1 and the flow iron female pipe-end 2 (Step J).

The present invention can be implemented into any flow iron male pipe-end 1 with an inner diameter that ranges from 1 inch to 5 inches. Similarly, the present invention can be implemented into any flow iron female pipe-end 2 with an inner diameter that ranges from 1 inch to 5 inches. However, the present invention is not limited to the aforementioned inner diameters and can be integrated into any sized circular pipes.

If a corroded internal surface is identified within the flow iron male pipe-end 1, the present invention uses a secondary sleeve body to fix the corroded internal surface of the flow iron male pipe-end 1. First, the corroded internal surface is drilled and cleaned in order to delineate a secondary sleeve cavity as shown in FIG. 10-11. A magnetic drill is preferably utilized to drill the secondary sleeve cavity; however, the present invention can utilize any other types of industry standard drill to create the secondary sleeve cavity. The secondary sleeve cavity is identical to an external surface of the secondary sleeve body so that the secondary sleeve body can be precisely connected to the flow iron male pipe-end 1. More specifically, the secondary sleeve body is a rigid body and is connected into the flow iron male pipe-end 1 through the secondary sleeve cavity wherein the present invention can use any standard connecting methods. For example, the present invention can use shrink fitting, expansion fitting, press fitting, screw fasteners, gluing, grommet fasteners, retainer ring fasteners, welding, slip fit, or any other types of connection mechanisms or methods to secure the secondary sleeve body to the secondary sleeve cavity. Once the secondary sleeve body is connected to the flow iron male pipe-end 1 through the secondary sleeve cavity, a terminal edge surface of the secondary sleeve body is positioned flush with an outer edge of the flow iron male pipe-end 1 thus embodying an initial shape of the flow iron male pipe-end 1. Furthermore, the flush positioning of the terminal edge surface and the outer edge of the flow iron male pipe-end 1 ensure precise alignment of the flow iron female pipe-end 2.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of retrofitting a sleeve apparatus to repair high-pressure flow iron corrosion comprising: (A) providing a flow iron male pipe-end, a flow iron female pipe-end, a first O-ring seal, and a nut, wherein the flow iron male pipe-end is compressed into the flow iron female pipe-end with the first O-ring seal in between, wherein the nut is threadedly engaged around the flow iron male pipe-end and the flow iron female pipe-end; (B) providing a sleeve body and a second O-ring seal; (C) removing the nut from the flow iron male pipe-end and the flow iron female pipe-end; (D) disassembling the flow iron male pipe-end from the flow iron female pipe-end; (E) removing the first O-ring seal from the flow iron female pipe-end in order to identify a corroded internal surface of the flow iron female pipe-end; (F) drilling and cleaning the corroded internal surface of the flow iron female pipe-end in order to delineate a sleeve cavity, wherein the sleeve cavity is identical to an external surface of the sleeve body; (G) connecting the sleeve body into the flow iron female pipe-end through the sleeve cavity; (H) compressing the second O-ring seal into flow iron female pipe-end and against the sleeve body; (I) compressing the flow iron male pipe-end into the flow iron female pipe-end and against the second O-ring seal; and (J) re-threading the nut around the flow iron male pipe-end and the flow iron female pipe-end.
 2. The method of retrofitting a sleeve apparatus to repair high-pressure flow iron corrosion as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sleeve body is a rigid body.
 3. The method of retrofitting a sleeve apparatus to repair high-pressure flow iron corrosion as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second O-ring seal is an elastic body.
 4. The method of retrofitting a sleeve apparatus to repair high-pressure flow iron corrosion as claimed in claim 1 comprising: providing a secondary sleeve body; identifying a corroded internal surface of the flow iron male pipe-end after step (E); drilling and cleaning the corroded internal surface of the flow iron male pipe-end in order to delineate a secondary sleeve cavity, wherein the secondary sleeve cavity is identical to an external surface of the secondary sleeve body; and connecting the secondary sleeve body into the flow iron male pipe-end through the secondary sleeve cavity before step (I).
 5. The method of retrofitting a sleeve apparatus to repair high-pressure flow iron corrosion as claimed in claim 4, wherein the secondary sleeve body is a rigid body.
 6. The method of retrofitting a sleeve apparatus to repair high-pressure flow iron corrosion as claimed in claim 1, wherein an inner diameter of the flow iron male pipe-end ranges from 1 inch to 5 inches.
 7. The method of retrofitting a sleeve apparatus to repair high-pressure flow iron corrosion as claimed in claim 1, wherein an inner diameter of the flow iron female pipe-end ranges from 1 inch to 5 inches. 